The day after…

Although I was planning on a little break from the media, I feel I need to say something and add some details to the entire CAL cancelation statement. It almost feels scared to write down some words as it feels the whole world is watching me at the moment. So here we go.

First of all I want to say….thank you. From the deepest of my soul…thank you. In first place for understanding why my decision is made. The only thing I could do with this situation is try to make an example with it. And it did. At the moment already more then 100.000 people have read my statement and i’m glad most of you seem to fully agree with it. It is not okay if something simple like a CAL is used to ruin someones personal life. I’m also glad many of you stand against the fact that neither being a man or having a different sexuality had to make a difference being in the crochet/knitting community.

I appreciate the call to all purchase my pattern and get it on Ravelry #1. It worked, but please don’t make any costs to just being a part of this as I still don’t want this whole issue wants to be a money thing. That wasn’t the reason to start this all.

Well so far the thank you. I feel I also have to make some other things clear.

First will be the hundreds, maybe thousands of messages I receive. Of course I can only thank heaven for all the kind words you all put in those emails/comments and anything related. But please don’t expect an answer. I will not answer anything, just reading everything through.

Second, I have loads of messages regarding groups, translations, videos etc. Let me be clear about this. If you want to make a group to crochet the pattern together as you feel you can help each other, feel free to do it. But don’t expect me to join or contribute. I’ve had my share over the days and will not do this a second time. Besides that I see many names joining or hosting a group who actually were pretty rude last week in there opinion about me, so i’ll warn each of you…think before you join anything and the fun is spoiled. Besides that I want to state that although I’m not personally having a issue with new FB groups, I don’t feel it is that nice to my team who worked as hard as me on this. It is a bit like saying they failed in doing this so others stand up and will show how it must me done.

Third, another issue which comes back everytime at other designers but also in this case. Respect copyright ! People seem to think that now i canceled the CAL they can do whatever they like with the pattern. Translating, making videos of it, use it to teach your students crocheting and you’ll taking provid from it. Beware all of you, i wrote and designed the pattern and that still makes me the owner of the copyright. So notice that I don’t give permission for that.

Next will be my public appearance. The last week has teached me one lesson. Exposure yourself to the world can be one of the most dangerous things to do. It leaves marks on the soul if your being judged by many….no matter how much good is besides it. This will also mean I will start cutting off lines over the next months. I’m going back to where it started. Happy designing in my own bubble, just creating a pattern now and then. No company deals, no publications for the future, no interviews…nothing. Of course there still are some things in progress but slowly I’ll retreat in many ways. I’m done with it and want crochet and knitting become happiness again. Being the simple guy with the hook.

Last to say…don’t worry. Of course it hurts, of course it was difficult to make this decision. But I’m fine, actually I feel pretty strong. I’m glad my message is heard and if comforts me to see so many of you join me in this. But….no matter how long it takes…the Spice Market CAL will always hold a memory for me. The memory of the moment people decided to abuse my human rights. This is a dark stain on my best design ever made and it will stay. So don’t expect me to cheer for every Spice Market that will be made and shown. As long as you enjoy happiness making it…it makes me happy as well. But for me that time has passed. And one last request…when you work together on your Spice Market CAL, put all your love, kindness and your full heart in each stitch you make along the way. Only in that way we can work on a brighter future, in this community, in our world. Cause yesterday it was me saying this, tommorow it is the guy living next door…or maybe the day after it is the kid at your kids school. Thank you❤️